Barrett Hayton returns to Mammoth as Utah matches offer sheet

SALT LAKE CITY – Following a weeklong process, restricted free agent Barrett Hayton is set to return to the Utah Mammoth on a one-year, $4.775M deal as the front office elected to match an offer sheet from the New Jersey Devils.

BREAKING: Barrett Hayton will return to the Mammoth on a one year deal as Utah has elected to match New Jersey’s offer sheet.

Hayton will be eligible to discuss a new extension on January 1, 2027.

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) July 8, 2026

Why did the Utah Mammoth match New Jersey’s offer sheet for Barrett Hayton?

While some may question the decision to match New Jersey’s offer sheet, Hayton is a valued member of Utah’s roster and a player they were simply unwilling to part with.

“Barrett is a key piece of our team and important to what we are building here in Utah,” said Bill Armstrong, general manager of the Utah Mammoth. “He’s strong in the face-off circle, plays both sides of the puck and can play with anyone in our forward group. We are grateful to be able to count on Barrett in our lineup next season.”

Following the recent departure of left-handed center Alexander Kerfoot, the team felt it was necessary to bring back Hayton in order to bolster their depth at the center position.

If he walked, Utah would be at a disadvantage with only Logan Cooley and Jack McBain as left-handed options.

Now that Hayton has returned, the Mammoth will be able to rely on Hayton and Vincent Trocheck (right-handed) down the stretch in tight games regardless of which side a crucial faceoff may take place.

“I’m fired up to get back with my teammates and remain in Utah,” said Barrett Hayton, forward of the Utah Mammoth. “I’ve been with this core group for my whole career and it’s exciting that we have an opportunity to do some special things next season in front of the best fans in the NHL.”

Additionally, bringing back Hayton also locks in Utah’s third line center as opposed to trying to find one in free agency or by sacrificing valuable assets on the trade market.

“Our role for Barrett Hayton is different,” Armstrong noted. “We have him planted in the third line center.”

So, what does all this mean for Trocheck?

While training camp will ultimately decide how the roster shapes out, Trocheck will more than likely play in the top six.

But wouldn’t that require Nick Schmaltz to move back to the wing?

Not necessarily as Trocheck could simply take the draws and then slide over for No. 8 to attack the middle of the ice.

But again, that’s what training camp is for.

Are there hard feelings between the Mammoth and Hayton after the offer sheet?

No.

Despite reports of hard feelings between Hayton and the front office, I’m hearing that couldn’t be further from the truth.

27 has been with the core of this team for his entire career and both sides want to keep him in Utah as he steps into the prime years of his career and possesses some of the intangibles that would be difficult to replace.

“It’s just business,” Armstrong said. Players want to get paid; they want to make as much money as they can in their lifetime, we get it. There’s no hard feelings between us and New Jersey. We called them and said we’re going to match. There’s no hard feelings between the club and Barrett Hayton.”

“We have really good relationships with the players, the player’s agent, and also New Jersey. There’s no hard feelings. It’s just doing business, and it’s a part of the NHL, it’s a part of the CBA. We have to respect the process.”

Offer sheets simply remain a legal mechanism in the CBA and something that we’ll likely see more of.

For now, both Utah and Hayton are pleased with outcome and there’s even a mutual interest to explore an extension which he’ll be eligible for on January 1, 2027.